Church House Inn Restaurant

11th Century combines with 21st Century

Client:Church House Inn Rattery

Location:Devon

Completed:2016

Architect:Emma Heaver

Materials:Green Oak

An oak framed restaurant extension

The Church House Inn in Rattery, South Devon is an 11th-century building dating back to 1028, complete with ancient, blackened timber features throughout the original building. In the 12th-century it would have been the dwelling occupied by the stonemasons who were building the stone church on the site of the previously wooden structure and the first ale would have been produced.

Owners John and Will wanted to adapt the building to increase their capacity and create a new restaurant that would be in keeping with the rest of the original longhouse, whilst offering a brighter, more open space.

With the support of English Heritage, the new dining room utilises the original stable block walls. At the gable end, a large external chimney breast was removed and the ground level taken down to increase the outdoor dining space and pub garden.

Local architect Emma Heaver oversaw the project, with Carpenter Oak designing and handcrafting the frame in the Devon workshops, just half an hour from the site.

The frame is specifically based on the old oak frames that would have been found in original 14th-century church houses. There are two arch brace and one king post trusses, as well as the fully glazed gable end. The first designs featured posts down to floor level, but to allow for more floor space and being able to use the full wall to wall span for chairs and tables, stone corbels were introduced to elevate the end of the posts.

The walls were finished with lime render, creating a softer and more traditional feel that gives the space a timeless aesthetic, complimenting the oak frame and rafters.

The new restaurant and outdoor space have been a huge success for the pub. As well as hosting countless functions since completion in 2016, the new restaurant has also been the venue for a couple of Carpenter Oak Christmas parties… from what we can remember.